Accident Forces Closure Of Both Lanes Of Route 49 In Rome West Of 291

UPDATE: 8:50am Officials say the accident has been cleared but police are still conducting an investigation in the immediate vicinity of an accident that occurred overnight.

It forced the closure of both lanes of Route 49 in Rome, west of Route 291.

Christian Rivera of Whitesboro swerved to avoid a deer shortly after 12:30 on the morning of May 14, 2013. He lost control of his truck and hit the guard rail. The truck came to rest in the eastbound lane of Route 49. While he was on the telephone with 911 he was simultaneously trying to warn oncoming traffic that his car was in the middle of the road. Tractor trailer driver Philip Allen of Pennsylvania did not see the car.

Allen's tractor trailer hit Rivera's car. The tractor trailer caught fire. Both drivers were able to get out of their vehicles and neither was injured.

Firefighters from Stittville and Floyd, along with Oneida County Sheriffs and New York State Police responded. The accident scene is being described as a "big mess."

Drivers are being urged to use alternate routes as both lanes will remain closed until further notice.